Summary

What if the detour is actually preparation?

On this episode of The Current, Jayson French talks with Marc Taylor about calling, faith, leadership, and risk. Marc traces his path from college and NBA mascot - 16 years pro, including a wild trip to Argentina and the risky mascot tricks that are anything but routine - to pastor. Along the way, seemingly unrelated stops: owning a trampoline park, managing employees, volunteering at church, leading a fatherhood program, and teaching Sunday school, turned out to be preparation for ministry.

Jayson, Eric, and Marc also explore what it means to recognize God's work when you can't see the bigger picture, how parents can think differently about success, and how our identity is shaped by more than what we do for a living.

We wrap up the episode by asking him all of our mascot questions, and Eric shares the riskiest thing he’s ever done in costume.

Marc’s Mascot Highlights

Seattle Stunts and Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEWyqHAqJJg

Rumble’s First Game in OKC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbLjpO1dreA

Stay in the Current at http://ciy.com/thecurrent

Expand the ministry of Christ In Youth by opening a new seat at an event in 2027: http://ciy.com/give

Connect with Jayson and Eric on Instagram: @jaysonfrench and @ericepperson

The Current is a Christ In Youth podcast, created to help leaders do Kingdom Work. Learn more about CIY at ciy.com.   

Executive produced by Eric Epperson, co-produced by Lauren Bryan and Joseph Jackson.

Key Takeaways

• God can use seemingly unrelated seasons of your life to prepare you for something you never expected.
• You don't always need to know the entire plan; you often just need to recognize the opportunity in front of you and take the next step.
• Sometimes we only recognize how God was working when we look backward.
• Great leaders can change the "temperature" of a room and influence people's experience even when they can't control the ultimate outcome.
• Experiences from one career or season can become valuable preparation for an entirely different calling.
• Your calling may take decades to become clear, and that doesn't mean God wasn't working along the way.

Chapters

00:00 — Looking Back and Seeing God's Work
02:19 — Discovering a Calling to Ministry at 12
04:33 — From Bison to Pastor
09:12 — The Trampoline Park
09:57 — Building a Fatherhood Program
11:09 — When Sunday School Became Ministry
16:46 — Launching a New Church Campus
19:52 — Recognizing God's Direction in Everyday Life
20:47 — Lessons From Marc's Parents
24:18 — The World of NBA Mascots
28:21 — Keeping the Mascot Identity Secret
30:38 — Marc's Craziest Mascot Stunt
34:22 — A Surprise Return to the NBA Finals
40:08 — Books, Leadership, and AI
41:40 — The Unexpected Proposal Story
47:11 — What Is God Putting on Your Heart?
48:50 — Identity Is More Than What You Do

Keywords

NBA mascot, leadership, faith, personal growth, career transition, basketball, mentorship, community, sports, ministry, personal growth, OKC Thunder